Deseret News | A (somewhat) fond farewell — Real Salt Lake prepares for final Rice-Eccles game

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A (somewhat) fond farewell — Real Salt Lake prepares for final Rice-Eccles game

In 2003 it was the Blitzz | 6:51 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

In 2003, the Utah Blitzz played host to an international friendly between the U.S. Women's National team and Ireland. RSL wasn't founded until 2005.

Anonymous | 9:19 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

RES played host to the women's team

Finally real football in SLC | 9:24 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

Finally we can get rid of that little team and play some real ball in Salt Lake........... Or at least Sandy!!!

Comments continue below

what? | 9:27 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

Kenny Cutler can play?

what a waste | 9:45 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

The only reason I read this article was to see what the date of the opener of the new stadium was. This seemed like an obvious point to include in this article, even as a bullet point at the end, but it was missing. Anyone know when it is?

Anonymous | 10:03 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

I hate RES

Re: What a Waste | 10:04 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

Oct. 9 is the first game in the new stadium. It's going to be fantastic.

Then the last home game is Oct. 18

New Stadium | 10:12 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

It opens on Thursday October 9 with an 8 p.m. kickoff against the New York Red Bulls.

three11stu | 10:29 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

The new stadium opens October 9th against New York Red Bulls. The game will also be televised on ESPN2

Re: what a waste | 10:43 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

October 9th against NYRB.
You are not a true supporter is you didnt seriously know that already...

Re: what a waste | 10:44 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

Since the local fishwrap didn't give you what you're looking for (it rarely does, especially when it comes to soccer coverage), I will.

The stadium opens 10/9. Tickets are on sale - just call RSL.

RE: what a waste | 11:28 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

First RSL game at the new Stadium in Sandy is on Thursday October 9th at 8pm against the New York Red Bulls. The game will be televised on ESPN2.

Two things | 11:43 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

I'm excited to watch the game on grass with no football lines (go Utes!) and for beer.

Fond memories | 11:47 a.m. Sept. 17, 2008

Who can forget Brian Dunseth scoring the first goal in team history off a brilliant diving header?
What about the great battles between Chivas USA and Real Salt Lake! Andy Williams scoring from the midfield line! The international friendlies vs. Universidad Catolica, Harbor View, Real Madrid, Everton, and Boca. It was also fun to watch future soccer hall of famer and USMNT stalwart Eddie Pope captain the back 4! Thanks RSL!

Correction needed. | 1:39 p.m. Sept. 17, 2008

RSL did not win the home opener this year. It was a 1 all tie with Chicago.

Anonymous | 2:31 p.m. Sept. 17, 2008

'Fond memories' is referring to the awesome goal of the home opener for the inaugural season against Colorado. I agree, RES has many fond memories and exciting games: USMNT, Madrid, Williams from distance, Talley from distance, Mathis from distance. Some great goals and great games! Thanks RSL. Here's to the future in the new stadium!!!!

Anonymous | 3:09 p.m. Sept. 17, 2008

It's kind of funny for a team to go from a 45,000 seat stadium to a 20.000 seat stadium. Seems like soccer is going in the wrong direction.

STEVE-O | 6:04 p.m. Sept. 17, 2008

Clearly RSL isn't downgrading from RES to their new Stadium! The new stadium is boasted to be the BEST in the league. I love the European feel with the players entering at the middle of the pitch!
I've got my tickets to the first home game. Lets make it LOUD in there and hope RSL can forge into the playoffs.

By the way... does anybody know when they plan on Naming the Stadium? Are there any potential names or are they still in the dark on that?

Q | 9:39 p.m. Sept. 17, 2008

We already have Energy Solutions Arena. Anyone for Waste Management Field?

stadium | 10:20 p.m. Sept. 17, 2008

I bought my tickets for the stadium opener and have heard rumors about there being a fireworks show after the game.. Anyone know if this is true???

jo | 10:22 p.m. Sept. 17, 2008

That game against madrid was awesome! That picture brings back some good memories.. Thanks DN

New Stadium Name.... | 10:30 p.m. Sept. 17, 2008

...coming soon....very soon.

The NIT | 11:09 p.m. Sept. 17, 2008

Wonderful!! Finally - we get rid of soccer from Rice-Eccles Stadium. I hope the University of Utah gets paid - and paid plenty - for allowing that team [whoever they are and whatever their name] to make a mess of the field. They can't leave soon enough to suit me...now they can be out of sight and out of mind...

Re: The NIT | 12:01 a.m. Sept. 18, 2008

haha....the university is now worried because they have to find a new way to fill their stadium.

RSL was paying their wages....now its time for Soccer to make some money.

Any Tickets left.... | 12:05 a.m. Sept. 18, 2008

...I heard that season tickets for the new stadium are almost sold out....? Like only a few hundred left. Crazy!

bj | 8:33 a.m. Sept. 18, 2008

The new stadium will be wonderful. Hopefully we can say goodbye to the old with a win though.

Available tickets | 10:14 a.m. Sept. 18, 2008

Just ask any RSL sponsor and you can get hundreds of tickets from them. I wonder if anyone has actually PURCHASED an RSL ticket yet?

RE: Correction Needed | 10:38 a.m. Sept. 18, 2008

You are incorrect about RSL's home opener. The home opener was against the Colorado Rapids, which RSL won 1-0.

new stadium | 11:34 a.m. Sept. 18, 2008

Having a soccer stadium in Utah is like money in the bank. (Can anyone say Lehman?)

Horse | 12:14 p.m. Sept. 18, 2008

Our new stadium will raise the level of the game here for many many years to come. Turf and football lines on the field make it look amateur. the league is getting better and better. I can't wait to sit in my new season seats in OUR stadium.

Lets be LOUD and PROUD for the entire 90+.

RSL 'til I DIE.

Is it true... | 2:07 p.m. Sept. 18, 2008

...that they buried Pablo Mastroeni's Jersey under the new pitch, half-field line?

RSl Ulty fan | 3:17 p.m. Sept. 18, 2008

I can't wait for the new stadium. It is amazing what a difference a soccer specific field can do for the atmosphere of a soccer game. I went to a Chivas game in L.A. and loved that stadium. If this stadium is billed to be the best of the MLS, that would be extremely impressive. GOOD BYE RES. RSL has been successful there this year, but the team needs to make some money and enjoy a real soccer field. WIN THIS WEEK. We need to make the playoffs.

Opener on the 9th... | 3:35 p.m. Sept. 18, 2008

..just bought my 2 tickets, I have to say...I was surprised at how many seats were already taken.

Should be a loud opener.

It is true | 4:34 p.m. Sept. 18, 2008

that they buried Pablo Mastroeni's Jersey under the new pitch, half-field line. They had the jersey at a silent auction, but nobody bid on it. They decided he was public enemy number 1 for RSL, so they burried his jersey. Isn't that great!?

RE: Correction Needed | 10:38 a. | 10:52 p.m. Sept. 18, 2008

RSL has never won their home opener. This years was again Chicago...Blance scored in stoppage time.

03/29 - SaturdayChicago FireT, 1-120,272

RSL Montana | 9:09 a.m. Sept. 19, 2008

No correction needed!!!!

RSL won their very first home opener in 2005 against Colorado when Brian Dunseth scored in the 81st minute to give us the 1-0 win.

I know | 9:53 a.m. Sept. 19, 2008

for a fact that someone did bid on that jersey. He died in a car accident three days later! So RSL buried the jersey so that no one else would lose their life to the curse of the jersey.

Kind of creepy aint it?

me | 9:59 a.m. Sept. 19, 2008

Thanks RES for all the memories. HELLO SANDY!

White Beard | 10:25 a.m. Sept. 19, 2008

....don't think you are getting rid of me RSL fans. I know where you new stadium is, and I will be there.

Anonymous | 10:49 a.m. Sept. 21, 2008

How about the KFC Colonel('s)? The best part of the game.

Fireworks? | 10:39 p.m. Sept. 22, 2008

You better hope there are fireworks after, because there won't be any during the game, match...whatever. Yawn.

Thank You | 1:07 p.m. Sept. 26, 2008

In reading your comments it reminded me why soccer sucks.
A guy posts above and wants to know when the soccer game is and gets jumped for not being a "true supporter".
Then you guys are correcting each other if the game was a 1-0 or a high scoring 1-1 tie. Great Stuff.
Now you're all getting excited that there might be fireworks after the game.

Thanks for the laughs.

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